first news conference since re-election fending off questions about his administration's handling of the attack on the american consulate in benghazi libya. republicans on capitol hill are demanding answers as well. drawing comparisons to past scandals that hobbled and even destroyed presidents in their conterm. >> that's why we need a special committee, select committee like we did in watergate and iran-contra. >> therefore i shall resign the presidency effective at noon tomorrow. >> richard nixon's resignation after watergate is the most striking example of the perils of a second term. >> we did not, repeat did not trade weapons or anything else for hostages. >> the iran-contra scandal nearly crippled ronald reagan's second term. marital infidelity and impeachment almost ended bill clinton's presidency. >> i earned capital in the campaign, political capital and now i intend to spend it. >> hubris slowed down george w. bush's second term followed by the war in iraq and 2008 financial crisis. with history as a guide president obama is looking to learn from his own mistakes. >> i hope